Saturday 1 September 2018

Pamban Bridge: A Hair Raising Train Ride To Rameswaram


I have traveled a lot in main colorful land of Incredible India., always preferred a train journey.I can never forget a train journey on the Pamban Bridge which connects Rameswaram Island to the mainland.In real that was hair raising train journey, which I enjoyed on way to Ramesvaram.

The Pamban Bridge is a railway bridge on the Palk Strait which connects the town of Rameswaram on Pamban Island to mainland of India. The bridge refers to both the road bridge and the cantilever railway bridge, though primarily it means the latter.
 Opened on 24 February 1914, it was India's first sea bridge, and was the longest sea bridge in India until the opening of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in 2010.


But what a beauty! You are surrounded by pristine blue waters till as far as your eyes can see. The Pamban bridge is only 1 meter wide and 2.5 km long. The speed is reduced to 20-30 km/hr while the train is on this vulnerable bridge. The experience was totally a life long hair raising Rail Ride. 
Our first glimpse of the sea was near Mandapam halt.It was early evening when train halted there for a brief period .Few passengers boarded down and few up. 
 Sea was visible on both sides, as the train moved ahead Mandapam. Road was parallel to the tracks. The landscape changed rapidly and signaled that we were approaching coastal area.


In craziness of excitement, for an uninterrupted viewing, I went to the door.The calm and peaceful Arabian sea was in my full sight.The blue sky was bowed somewhere in horizon to meet sea.There was playing a colorful magic in west of sky.
There were less of coconut palms and more of oil palms and fruit (Palmyra) palms. The terrain too changed, and the area had more of dry sand than soil.I took my camera and focused to capture this life time hair raising journey .Soon I realized, better to save the whole scenes in memory chip of my mind my heart, that will never fade with time.
This was a prized moment – a moment that I had been waiting for a long time. The train slowly crawled its way towards Rameswaram – over Pamban Bridge. The bay was green in color and very attractive unlike the brackish color seen in the Arabian Sea. Fishing activities were at its peak – Train took about 15 minutes time to cover 2.3 kms long Pamban Bridge. 

It was late evening time of sunset, Bursts of gold on lavender melting into saffron. It's the time of day when the sky looks like it has been spray-painted by a graffiti artist.The mighty ocean was below my feet; suddenly a fragrant breeze wandered up from the quiet sea, touched me and drifted back to the sea again.

After Pamban bridge, the train passed through an area that closely resembles a desert – its sand dunes all around. The sidings at Pamban station was all mired in sand. The train picked up speed after Pamlban. The road still runs parallel to the tracks. We finally reached Rameswaram station at 19.30 – late about 1 hour. 
Finally we were standing at railway plate form of Rameshvaram. Before exit from here we thought to have hot coffee and some snakes. There were plenty of autos available outside station.Hired an auto for advance booked hotel Agnee teertham (Tamil Nadu Tourism Corporation Hotel).
It ends this travelogue on Pamban Bridge: A Hair Raising Train Ride to Rameswaram.Next we will meet in Rameswaram and ghost town of Dhanushkodi beach.
Written, Photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram.


Sunday 26 August 2018

Travelogue of Kochi: Queen of Arab Sagar-Before Floods.

I was a happy traveler to visit Kochi the queen of Arab Sagar, before devastating floods of Kerala in nearly 100 years.This flood has destroyed the ever lasting beauty of Kochi brewed by the hands of history, It is a world of its own, retaining the specimens of a bygone era and still proud of those days.

Chinese Fishing Nets--Kochi

This Travelogue is dedicated to a magical dreaming colonizing history, charming and tranquilizing beaches of Kochi, offering a breathtaking view and natural beauty mixed with its pristine water and tranquil ambiance.

Kochi the “Queen of Arab Sagar”, the coastal city of Kerala is witnessing something that has never happened before in the history of Kerala. Submerged homes, marooned people, messages pleading for rescue, the stories of old, young and ailing persons, struggling to stay alive are shocking and gruesome beyond belief.

Women selling in Local Market in Fort Kochi

It is very interesting to know that: Kochi was born in 1341, when a flood created a natural safe port that swiftly replaced Muziris (Kodungallur, 50km north) as the chief harbor on the Malabar coastline.

Colonization of India was started from Kochi. Portugal was first to establish its base in Kochi, followed by the Dutch and English. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the cheek of history. 

Fort is name of old Kochi. So when visiting Kochi, it must be clear that actually your are going to see the old Kochi town.

The nearest Railway station to Kochi is Ernakulam. So let us start from Ernakulam which is the mainland part of Kochi city and well connected to the rest of Kerala and India.

We boarded a ferry towards Fort Kochi for just Rs.10.00 (to and fro). It was a 30 mt journey. Surprised to get something this cheap. After a slow and yet comforting ride, we reached Fort Kochi.

Ferry Station of Kochi

(1)- ST. Francis church: 
(Where The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama was buried.)

ST. Francis Church is the erstwhile resting place of Vasco-da-Gama.The Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama who opened up the sea route to India, died in Kochi in 1524 when he was on his third visit to India. His body was originally buried in this church, but after fourteen years his remains were removed to Lisbon. 



The first church built by Europeans in India is in Fort Kochi? Christianity was already prevalent in the region. It was efforts of St. Thomas, who arrived in 52 AD. The Locals he converted had followed their religion for centuries before the Portuguese arrived, bringing their own brand of Christianity. 

(2)-Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica
It is a catholic church. Located close to St. Francis Church. This church was built originally by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope IV. The foundation stone of the Santa Cruz church was laid on 3 May 1505, the feast day of the Invention of the Holy Cross; hence the magnificent edifice when completed was named Santa Cruz.

When Dutch conquered over the Portuguese in Kochi in 1663, they destroyed many Catholic Churches but spared this Cathedral. When British took over Cochin they demolished it. It then took over 100 years to build a new building at the same site in 1887. Pope John Paul II proclaimed it a Basilica in 1984.

There are frescoes and paintings covering almost every inch of the cathedral, from the altar to the pillars, and walls to the ceiling. The art here is the work of Antonio Moscheni, a Jesuit brother and painter. He passed away just four days before the consecration of the church! 


(3) Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace)

In the heart of Jew Town, Mattancherry Palace is now a small but interesting museum. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1545 AD, for Veera Kerala Verma, the then King of Kochi, as compensation for plundering a temple in the vicinity. They even built a shrine to the goddess Bhagavathy, his family deity
It is also known as the Dutch Palace after it was renovated by the Dutch in 1663 and the wooden palace has some interesting exhibits that help bring to life the multicultural history of Cochin but the most impressive is the intricate and well preserved Hindu murals depicting the famous epic of the Ramayana.(4)The Jewish Synagogue, Fort Kochi
It is believed that Jews first came to Kerala to trade in spices and ivory during King Solomon’s reign.Jewish Synagogue, situated at one end of the Jew Street, is at short walk from Mattancherry bus stand or from the boat jetty. Jews fleeing the Spanish inquisition in the early 16th century also reached Kochi, followed by immigrants from Baghdad, Yemen and other parts of the Middle East.

The newcomers, called paradesis (foreigners), constructed their own synagogue in 1568 just 30 yards from the maharajah's palace.The lane leading to the synagogue has lots of shops selling local handicrafts, and cafés for you to sit and relax. Just walking through the area is an interesting experience. 
This orthodox synagogue houses the sacred Torah scrolls written in goatskin and gold crowns gifted by various kings inside the carved red and gold tabernacle. The 18th century Chinese hand-painted blue and white tiles are a unique feature of the Synagogue. None of these exquisite 1100 porcelain tiles are identical.
The Synagogue also has Hebrew inscriptions dating back to the 14th century. The painting gallery at the entrance depicts the history of Jews in Kerala from the times of King Solomon.

This orthodox synagogue houses the sacred Torah scrolls written in goatskin and gold crowns gifted by various kings inside the carved red and gold tabernacle. The 18th century Chinese hand-painted blue and white tiles are a unique feature of the Synagogue. None of these exquisite 1100 porcelain tiles are identical.

The Synagogue also has Hebrew inscriptions dating back to the 14th century. The painting gallery at the entrance depicts the history of Jews in Kerala from the times of King Solomon.

(5)Jew Street,Fort Kochi

The Jew Street of Kochi, one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The place tells us about the life styles and customs of the communities that coexisted in the past.. Still having the charm of the old people happened to live here.

These days, walking on the Jew Street in Fort Kochi, one can still find the busy spice market, which once had a sizable number of Jewish people engaged in spice trade. Nowadays, one would also come across curio shops run by those from Kashmir; selling mostly wood carvings, oil lamps, spice boxes, snake boats and books on Indian subjects. Most of the Jewish settlers here have now left for their homeland Israel. 

(6)Chinese Fishing Net – Fort kochi 

The ever lasting beauty of Kochi, brewed by the hands of history, It is a world of its own, retaining the specimens of a bygone era and still proud of those days. If you can smell the past, nothing can stop you from walking through these streets.

The Chinese fishing nets are the most recognizable landmarks in Fort Kochi, and are most visited for the fascinating sight they provide against the setting sun. However, there is more to them, than just their appearance. There are many stories about how these nets came to India.


The nets work on the concept of a cantilever―a pile of rocks is tied to ropes on one end, while the other side contains the net. A group of men raise or lower the rocks, while one walks on the bamboo pole to balance the weight. 

Itenenry of Kochi is incomplete without a walk at promenade of Marine Drive and shopping in Lulu Mall,the India’s largest shopping Mall.
(7)Marine Drive of Kochi


The Marine drive in Kochi is one of the best places to spend quality time leisurely in the city and provides an amazing view of the sea.The promenade is with a walkway of about three kilo meters. The best thing about Marine Drive is that it is well maintained and cleaned properly and also has sitting arrangements for the visitors. 

Beauty of this place is the backwaters, with ships anchored at the harbor and that interests the tourists even more. The sound of the water gently swishing away as you gaze at the skyline of Kochi is an amazing thing to behold, and will certainly transport you to a world of your own.
(8)Lulu Shopping Mall, Edapally

Kochi also has India’s largest shopping mall in Edappally – Lulu Shopping Mall owned and operated by EMKE Group. For a shopping experience in Kochi there are lots of markets but a visit to Lulu Mall is a treat with air conditioning and 300+ food outlets, stores and restaurants. Spanning 17 acres with a total built up area of 2.5 million square feet, the mall has a total retail space of 1.7 million square feet. 

This is end of my Travelogue of Kochi where I was before Floods. I walked back to home Aligarh with charm of Kochi the Queen of Arab Sagar engraved in my memory for ever. My camera was full of such memories.The ever lasting beauty of Kochi brewed in the hands of history, frozen in time and takes it to the rich colonial heritage.

There are innumerable heritage buildings, some dating back to the times of Vasco Da Gama, the first Portuguese sailor to India. If you can dream the past, nothing can stop you from walking through these streets of Kochi.

May God help Kerala in battle of worst flood of century.Any how your believers say “Kerala is God’s own land”.
Kochi “The queen of Arab Sagar” is facing the worst floods of century which have devastated Kerala the “God’s own land”, killing scores of people and forcing tens of thousands into relief camps.
Written posted and photographed by Engr Maqbool Akram.

Wednesday 22 August 2018

God’s Own land Kerala: Worst Flood Of Century

Kerala is often referred to as God’s own country – A poem in green and gold. ‘God’s Own Country. This beautiful land is rightly called the paradise, given to its lush green scenic landscapes and crystal clear beaches that will leave you awestruck. Blessed with natural beauty and ecological diversity.

God’s own Land Kerala is facing the worst floods of century which have devastated Kerala the “God’s own land”, killing scores of people and forcing tens of thousands into relief camps.



As per reports --Kerala had inflicted a loss of about Rs 200 billion on the state’s economy.At least 400+people have been killed in flood-related incidents, “Over a million people are in the 1,500 relief camps. The casualty figure is expected to go up.


The floods have damaged hundreds of kilometers of roads and disrupted train and air services. The airport at Kochi, the busiest city in Kerala was closed.


Kerala, God’s Own Country! Who could curse God’s own country? Of course it would have to be man.  The floods in Kerala, the worst since the 99 floods witnessed in 1924, have already claimed nearly 400 lives and lakhs are homeless.

It is a widespread belief in the old generation of Kerala that the cause of this great flood was a major breach of the Mullaperiyar Dam. That is why the flood was so powerful, even at Munnar, and tore apart even a mountain as big as Karinthiri.  
 Old generation in the affected areas of Kerala - who are still alive - is the source of this information. There is no evidence to prove this as Kerala had seen floods even before the construction of the dam.

 "It is astonishing that the Munnar region, located about 6000 feet above the sea level was also submerged under floodwater."


While the 1924 disaster followed an estimated 3,368 mm rainfall across three weeks, the 2018 disaster comes in the wake of just over 2,000 mm of rain since July


The complete place, almost 80 percentage of the place in the Kerala state, is flooded with water. And the water is up to the second-floor level.


It is completely full of water. There is no land to be found. Kerala, Gods Own Country! Who could curse God’s own country? Of course it would have to be man.  

Helicopters and disaster management teams have been battling heavy rains to reach flooded areas of Kerala in order to evacuate people stranded in homes or on rooftops.
The images of Kerala “God’s own land” ,that is facing worst flood of century shows---submerged homes, marooned people,messages pleading for rescue, the stories of old, young and ailing persons, struggling to stay alive are shocking and gruesome beyond belief.

The scale of relief operations gives a sense of the magnitude of the tragic flood disaster. Massive rescue operations underway are witness that—Kerala is facing worst flood of century.

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May God help Kerala in battle of worst flood of century.Any how your believers say “Kerala is God’s own land”.

Written and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram, with the help of reports by various news agencies and photos as available on net with thanks.